Pards To Resign

Last updated : 09 September 2003 By Rob Cooper
Alan Pardew
Going, going, nearly gone
This morning Madejski stood firm for the second time when West Ham came a knocking, insisting that Alan Pardew must stay at Reading Football Club.

On Friday the Royals rejected an official approach from the Upton Park side - but another approach was made today after it emerged over the weekend that Pards was 'keen to speak' to the Hammers.

However, John Madejski had no hesitation in turning the request down as he defiantly told the official site.

"West Ham United made a second approach to speak to our manager Alan Pardew and I said no."

The Royals chairman has been mightily keen to hold onto his super-manager but now appears to be losing the battle. Pardew is set to resign within the next 24 hours, and sign for West Ham.

He should be confirmed as a West Ham manager sometime tomorrow. Of course, he isn't going to resign until tomorrow morning and he obviously hasn't spoken to the Hammers as yet - that would be illegal. Yet he should be unveiled as West Ham's new manager as early as lunch time.

Contract negotiations between the two parties will have to be mega quick as no discussions have taken place as yet. That wouldn't have been allowed.

Yet the signing and the sealing of Pardew's departure will be only the beginning of things. A nasty war between Reading and the Hammers is nearly upon us, a titanic battle looks set to be fought over Alan Pardew's contract. Should the boss resign he will be breaching his contract which could result in a legal tussle.

The chances are, Reading will eventually have to settle for a compensation package worth in the region of £250,000 - poor renumeration for the loss of such an influential figure.

Pardew will incur a Mark McGhee-style wrath from the Reading faithful for many many years to come, but the abuse will be sweetened by the £200,000 annual salary package West Ham have to offer, three times what he is currently earning.

It is expected that Trevor Brooking will take charge of the Hammers for one last time on Saturday when they face the Royals, so as to avoid a potentially riot-inducing incident - Pardew in the 'wrong' dug-out.

Speculation is already growing about Pardew's possible replacement. Kevin Dillon, currently assistant manager, is a potential candidate but he could yet follow Pards to Upton Park.

Lawrie Sanchez has been widely touted as the man to replace Pardew in the media, yet Steve Coppell or Steve Cotterill could yet emerge as prime candidates.


OTHER PARDEW TO WEST HAM ARTICLES:


>MADEJSKI BLASTS PERSISTENT HAMMERS RUMOURS
>'I HAVEN'T YET, BUT WILL I? NO ANSWER. THANKS FOR CLEARING IT UP PARDS.
>WE'RE ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE...
>GRAHAM FOR WEST HAM?
>SALAKO GOING NOWHERE
>SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?